[2] The change was done under the chairmanship of Tom O'Sullivan, MD Ted Lansdowne and Merchandising Director Doug Spickernell to counter public perception of the Marley name as good, reliable but expensive.

The transformation was inspired by the model adopted by Wickes in the US, i.e. larger stocks of trade-related goods, particularly timber and building lines, and a classic "pile it high, sell it cheap" approach.

As the formula became increasingly popular with the public and Britain enjoyed a DIY boom in the '80s, new-builds were commissioned on trading estates where much larger premises could be built and garden centres could be incorporated.

Ward White which also owned Halfords, injected extra funds for expansion and left the existing board in place.

In 1987 Payless bought thirteen stores in the North and West of England and Wales from Paul Madeley (an ex-professional footballer).

The Payless Sevenoaks head office (which had relocated from South Park to Suffolk Way) was closed and the Do It All premises in Falcon House, Dudley, West Midlands became the headquarters for the new chain.

The Focus group retained some of the Payless own-brand ranges and successfully bought up Wickes - later selling them at a substantial profit to Travis Perkins.